Water softening apparatus



O. E. MILLER WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS June 15, 1954 Filed April 16, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Omer E. Mil/er 1N V EN TOR.

Atlornys Fig.

June 15, 1954 o. E. MILLER 2,681,148

WATER SOF'TENING APPARATUS Filed April 16, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 7 g a 84 a2 a6 44 Omer E Mil/ev'l INVENToR.

BY @.aan

Patented June 15, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in water softening apparatus and more particularly to a water softening apparatus having means for regenerating the water softening material.

An object of the present invention is to provide a water softening apparatus through which hard water can normally circulate to supply water to an outlet for the apparatus and wherein reversed iiow through the apparatus can be effected for intermingling a brine solution with the water softening material for regenerating that material.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of valve means whereby water can be circulated in a iirst direction through the water softening apparatus and wherein means is provided for effecting a reversal oi now through 'he apparatus for a predetermined time interval, whereupon the ow will continue in the rstdirection.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the novel provision of timing means which is comprised of an absorbent paper which is adapted to maintain an operating plunger in predetermined position whereby a lever means can be retained in a predetermined position for holding the valve means in preselected open and closed positions, and wherein when the absorbent paper has become saturated, the lpaper will Vbe fracturable whereby the plunger will be released for upward movement, thereby releasing Ythe lever means for pivoting movement so that the closed and open valves will become opened and closed valves respectively.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel outlet filter for the softened water, the outlet filter being of resilient form and covered with a fabric material 4such as Vinyon whereby the resiliency of the outlet permits the same to breathe with the material therearound, whereby the outlet will not become clogged.

Still further objects and advantages will'become apparent from the detailed description to follow. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through a water softening tark and showing the valve means associated therewith in side elevational View;

Figure 2 is a top planview of the 4valve means with the associated timingmeans, the apparatus being shown in the normal softening arrangement;

Figure 3 is a side. elevational viewof the valve means of kFigure 2, .with .parts broken .away;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 3 but wherein the valve means has been setfor reversed ilow with the timing .means manually set for a predetermined time interval of reversed now;

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken substantially along the plane of line .5-=5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 6 6 of Figure l;

Figure 'Z is a longitudinal detail sectional view through thelter outlet for the tank .of Figure 1,;

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse view taken substantially along the plane of line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view of a modiiied form of tank structure Vhaving a removable salt chamber associated therewith, parts being broken away;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional View ythrough the water softening `tank with the pipes associated therewith being shown in diagrammatic arrangement for normal water softeningoperationyand Figure .1l .is a view similar to Figure 10 but wherein the valves have been moved tothe position similar to the arrangement in Figure 4 for regenerating the water softening .material of the tank.

.Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like .numerals designate like .parts throughout, the numeral it designates generally the water softening tank having inlet `means l2 and outlet means ill associated therewith. The numeral Iii designates generally `the valve means employed in combination with the water softening tank l0 while the numeral I8 designatesgenerally-the timing means associated with the Avalve means lli.

Looking i'lrst at Figure 1, lit will be seen that the water softening tank lil is .comprised of a substantially cylindrical shell .2. Ahaving a kflat bottom wall 22 and a concavo-convex upper Wall 2d provided with a centrally disposed, axially bored extension 2t. `The extension 26 vis provided with a closure cap V28 and sealing ring i3@ for sealing the upper end of the tank. Fixedly secured within the cylindrical shell `i2!! and adjacent to the upper end of the tankis a dishlike member 32 formed with a central opening at 34, the dish-'like member 32 being secured vto the inner wall of the shell2ll by means of .weld ,or the like. It will thus be seen that `the :water softening tank -I isgdivided into a pair of` charnbers 36and 38.

Adjacent the upper end of the cylindrical shell 2B, an opening is formed at 4|). The outlet means i6 is inserted through the opening 40 and a closure plug i2 sealingly engaging the pipe section 2d is fixedly secured within the opening fifi, a sealing ring 46 completing the water tight connection.

In the bottom wall 22 of the water softening tank lia, an inlet pipe section 48 is inserted, the inner end of the pipe section d8 having an inlet strainer e associated therewith. The entire inlet means i2 is secured within the opening 52 of the bottom wall 22 by means of the closure plug 5d and sealing ring 56.

The chamber 38 of the tank is filled with a softening resin 5B, the lower end of the tank being provided with a substantial amount of gravel El?.

Figure 9 shows a modified form of tank structure, but which form functions in substantially the same manner as the form of Figure 1, the tank being designated generally by the numeral iii'. The tank IE is comprised of a substantially cylindrical shell 20 terminating at its upper end in an outwardly extending flange 52. The bottom end of the tank is substantially the same as in Figure 1. However, the salt chamber 26 is provided by a removable salt receptacle 6d. The salt receptacle 64 is provided with a conical section d6 terminating at its lower end in an aperture 68 and having its upper end provided with a cylindrical wall IE terminating in an outwardly extending flange 12. A sealing ring 'is is engaged over the flange 'i2 and a removable lid '16 rests on the sealing ring lli, a plurality of bolts 'i8 and nuts 8B being provided for removably securing the lid i6 to the salt receptacle @d and tank le.

The structure of the outlet means it, employed in both forms of water softening tanks, is best shown in Figures 7 and 8 as comprising a cylindrical wire cloth member 82 which is engaged over the inner end of the outlet pipe section lid. A lter cloth, preferably Vinyon, a composition consisting of approximately 90% vinyl-chloride and vinyl acetate by weight, designated by the numeral 84 is engaged over the wire cloth 82 and the wire cloth and lter cloth 82 and 84, respectively, are secured on the pipe section 44 by means of the clamping ring 86. A coil spring 88 is disposed within the cylindrical members 82 and all for resiliently maintaining the same in their expanded cylindrical form.

The conduit system for the water softening apparatus includes an inlet supply conduit or pipe 90, comprised of sections 92, 94, 95 and 48, all joined by elbow sections t8. The outlet pipe section lill is connected to pipe sections im?, |62, the pipe section 2 being the soft water outlet for delivery to wherever desired. Elbow sections 98 and T-section lll are employed for connecting the several pipe sections. An interconnecting conduit comprised of pipe sections |05 and Hi8, joined by the elbow section I, interconnect the supply conduit 99 with the outlet conduit |2 by means of the pair of T-connections Hill. A drain conduit section ||2 is connected to the inlet conduit section S2 by means of the T-tting Iii and has an outer extension ||5 connected thereto by means of the elbow tting H8.

Looking now at Figure 2, or either of the diagrammatic views Figures 10 and 11, it will be seen that the pipe sections 92, |06 and ||5 are each provided with conventional reciprocating type valves A, B and C, respectively. The pipe section IBD provided with a manually cori-` trolled conventional valve D, while the pipe section 94 is provided with a T-tting ||l having a conduit section ||8 extending therefrom with a conventional faucet |20 connected thereto for drawing off fluid as desired. The conduit section I|5 is provided with a variable restrictor |22, manually controlled by the handle |243.

Valve D and faucet 2U are manually controlled while valves A, B and C are automatically actuated by the actuating means designated generally by the numeral I, as shown best in Figures l through 6.

A fulcrum |26 comprised of first and second U-shaped members |28 and |35) is clampingly engaged on the pipe sections Q2, |66 and ||5 by means of the studs |32 and nuts |3fi, bolts |36 and nuts |38 being employed for securing the ends of the U-shaped element |30 to the upstanding legs Ill!! and |fi2 of the U-shaped element |28. The upper ends of the legs lil and |132 are joined by a pivot pin |45 which pivotally supports the lever itt. has a tension spring M8 connected thereto, the other end of the spring Hi8 being connected to the pipe section 92 for normally urging the lever |46 to a first and normal operating position. lntermediate portions of the lever |45, on opposite sides of the pivot pin |54, have plungers |58, |52 and |56 loosely connected thereto for reciprocation thereby, the plungers being connected to the valves C, B and A, respectively, for actuating the same.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the valves B and C will normally be maintained closed as a result of the normal biasing of the spring Hi8, whereby flow from the hard water inlet will supply the tank Il with hard water for normal through the softening material and thence through the outlet I4 and conduit sections to |62.

With the flow through the tank being from the bottom to the top, it will be seen that the hard water will be chemically acted upon by the water softening agent 58 and the soft water will be delivered to the outlet leaving the foreign matter retained within the tank. Of course, the softening resin will become deactivated upon eX- tended use. Consequently, it is necessary to regenerate the softening resin by introducing a brine solution and effecting reversed flow through the tank. The means for reversing the flow through the tank is comprised of the means for actuating the valves to their reversed position. A timing means I3 is associated with the actuating means i whereby the valves A, B and C can be held in their reversed positions for a predetermined length of time before returning to their normal positions for normal softening operation.

The timing means i3 is comprised of an upstanding bracket |56 which is clampingly received on the supply conduit 9S by means of the pair of clamped elements |58 and |66, bolts |52 and nuts |54 being employed for securing the bracket |58 to the clamping elements |58 and |66. The bracket |56 is formed with a pair of vertically aligned guides 156 and |58 between which is recprocably guided the operating plunger |70. The upper end of the operating plunger Il@ is formed with an enlarged head |'i2 which is adapted to pass between the open upper end |15 of the bracket |56 to assume its normal position.

The bracket |56 is provided with a longitudi- One end of the lever |46 l nally extending tongue 'H6 'terminating water cup V18.

As seen best in Figure Il, when it is desired to effect-an alternate arrangement of the valves A, B and C, the lever 146 is downwardly pivoted to the position there shown, whereby the plunger will assume the position within the bracket l5@ with the 'head Il? disposed below the opening I -1 ll in the upper end of thebracket lt. An elongated piece of absorbent paper i8@ is carried by the tongue Iit and has one end extending into the water W within the vcup llt. The other end of the absorbent paper i3@ is disposed below the flanged portion -I'H of the bracket dit, thereby covering the opening lid in the uppei` end of the bracket l 5t, in order that the plunger ri-lll will be retained in its lowermost position with the valve A closed and the valves B and C in their open positions.

It will thus be seen tiat with the valves arranged as in Figure d, i'iow from the inlet hard in Ya water will be oy-passed through the interconnecting pipe sections i l and m8 into the outlet conduit sections and from there into the tank it by means of the outlet filter. The water within the tank Il) will then pass through the inlet conduit sections lis, et and Sil to the drain conduit sections H2 and ltfkthrough the restriction |22 and to the sewerage.

In actual operation, when it is desired to regen erate, the valves A, B and C are arranged as in Figure 4 with the absorbent paper disposed to maintain the plunger il@ in the present position. The valve D is closed and the drain valve l2@ is opened to exhaust the pressure within the tank lil. The cap 28 can then be removed from the upper end of the tank and the dry salt introduced into the chamber 35. After the salt is placed in the chamber, valve D -is opened, valve 12s is closed, and water is introduced into the tank until the liquid level reaches a point adjacent the upper opening of the salt chamber. The valve D is then closed and the cover to the salt chamber is replaced. Valve D is again opened for iow as shown in Figure 1l, the liquid passing from outlet Hi, through the tank to drain orifice 522.

The rate at which the salt dissolves and passes through the tank as a brine solution depends upon the bottom opening of the salt chamber and the volume of liquid forced through the tank.

Thus, if the flow of liquid through the tank is increased, the amount of brine passing through the `tank per unit time will increase as the undissolved salt in the brine becomes dissolved due to the added water. The rate or flow of the brine solution through the tank can be increased by varying the bottom opening of the salt champer.

It is to be lfurther noted that as a result of the differences in density the brine solution will pass downwardly from the salt chamber and a p0rtion of the incoming water will rise from the outlet ld into the salt chamber for dissolving the undissolved salt in the brine solution of the salt chamber. After the flow has continued through the circuit for a predetermined length of time the salt chamber will be lled with fresh water and the regeneration will be complete.

At the same time the regeneration is completed, the absorbent paper itt will become saturated and therefore fracturable. The plunger i will therefore fracture the absorbent paper its and ymove upwardly to reverse the positions of the vvalves A, B and C, thereby effecting normal now 'for softening water.

It is to be noted that even though the regen# eration process is being effected, .a supply yof water can be obtained from the outlet 'conduit section 402, although the supply of water .will be hard and directly from the hard water vsupply section 9B.

In View of the foregoing, it is believed that a water softening apparatus has been provided which `will accomplish all of the objects hereinabove set forth. Furthermore, in view :of Athe simplicity of operation of the structure .of :the present invention, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A water softening apparatus comprising .a

tank having an inlet connection atits lower end,l

a soft water outlet means at the upper end fof said tank and extending outwardly therefrom, a hard water supply conduit connected to :said inlet connection, a drain pipe connected to an intermediate portion of said supply conduit, and an interconnecting pipe providing communica.n tion between said supply conduit and said outlet means, and valve means for controlling theilow from said supply conduit to said tank and .from said tank to said drain pipe whereby flow through said tank can be selectively reversed, and .timing means operatively associated with said valve means for automatically reversing vthe Viiow through said tank upon elapse of a predetermined time interval, timing means including a fulcrumed lever actuating said valve means, a plunger pivotally secured at one end of said lever and a spring loading the other end of said lever. a guide sleeve slidably receiving said plunger and having an annular shoulder at its upper end, a water cup secured to said sleeve adjacent said upper end, said sleeve having a slot adjacent said water cup for the insertion or an absorbent strip, an absorbent strip having one portion received in said slot and abutting said shoulder to maintain the plunger within the sleeve and having its other end disposed in said water cup whereby the plunger will puncture the-strip when the strip is saturated by capillary action from the water cup.

2. A water softening apparatus comprising a tank having an inlet connection at its lower end, a soft water outlet means at the upper end oi said tank and extending outwardly therefrom, a hard water supply conduit connected to said inlet connection, a drain pipe connected to an intermediate portion of said supply conduit, and an interconnecting pipe providing communica tion between said supply conduit and said outlet means, and valve means for controlling the iiow from said supply conduit to said tank and from said tank to said drain pipe whereby now through said tank can be selectively reversed, and manually reset timing means operatively associated with said valve means for automatically reversing the flow through said tank upon elapse of a predetermined time interval, said timing means -including a fulcrumed lever actuating said val-Vev means, a plunger pivotally secured at one end of said lever and a spring loading the other end of said lever, a guide sleeve slide-bly receivingsaid plunger and having an annular shoulder at its upper end, a water cup secured to said sleeve adjacent said upper end, said sleeve having a slot adjacent said water cup for vthe insertion of an absorbent strip, an absorbent strip having 'one portion received in said slot and abutting said shoulder to maintain the plunger within the' sleeve and having its other end disposed in said water cup whereby the plunger will puncture the strip when the strip is saturated by capillary action from the water cup.

3. A water softening apparatus comprising a tank having an inlet connection at its lower end, a soft water outlet means at the upper end of .said tank and extending outwardly therefrom, a

hard water supply conduit connected to said inlet connection, a drain pipe connected to an intermediate portion of said supply conduit, and an interconnecting pipe providing communication between said supply conduit and said outlet means, a iirst valve controlling the flow through said supply conduit, a second valve interposed in said interconnecting pipe for selectively affording communication between said supply conduit and said outlet means, a third valve interposed in said drain pipe, and means for simultaneously actuating said valves for selectively effecting iiow from said supply conduit to said tank and out through said outlet means, and from said supply conduit through said interconnecting pipe and outlet means to said tank, out through said inlet connection, through the portion of said supply conduit connecting the tank with said drain pipe and out through said drain pipe, said actuating means comprising a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, a plunger pivotally secured to one end of said lever, the other end of said lever being spring loaded, said second and third valves being operatively connected to the spring loaded end of said lever, said rst valve being operatively connected to the plunger end of said lever.

4. A water softening apparatus comprising a tank having an inlet connection at its lower end, a soft water outlet means at the upper end oi said tank and extending outwardly therefrom, a hard water supply conduit connected to said inlet connection, a drain pipe connected to an intermediate portion of said supply conduit, and an interconnecting pipe providing communication between said supply conduit and said outlet means, and valve means for controlling the ilow from said supply conduit to said tank and from said tank to said drain pipe whereby flow through said tank can be selectively reversed, said last recited means including a rst valve controlling the ow through said supply conduit, a second valve interposed in said interconnecting pipe for selectively affording communication between said supply conduit and said outlet means, a third valve interposed in said drain pipe, and means for simultaneously actuating said valves for selectively effecting flow from said supply conduit to said tank and out through said outlet means, and from said supply conduit through said interconnecting pipe and outlet means to said tank, out through said inlet connection, through the portion of said supply conduit connecting the tank with said drain pipe and out through said drain pipe, said actuating means comprising a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, a plunger pivotally secured to one end of said lever, the other end of said lever being spring loaded, said second and third valves being operatively connected to the spring loaded end of said lever, said first valve being operatively connected to the plunger end of said lever.

5. A water softening apparatus comprising a tank having an inlet connection at its lower end, a soft water outlet means at the upper end of said tank and extending outwardly therefrom, a hard water supply conduit connected to said 8 inlet connection, a drain pipe connected to Van intermediate portion of said supply conduit, and an interconnecting pipe providing communication between said supply conduit and said outlet means, a rst valve controlling the iiow through said supply conduit, a second valve interposed in said interconnecting pipe for selectively affording communication between said supply conduit and said outlet means, a third valve interposed in said drain pipe, and means for simultaneously actuating said valves for selectively effecting iiow from said supply conduit to said tank and out through said outlet means, and from said supply conduit through said interconnecting pipe and outlet means to said tank, out through said inlet connection, through the portion of said supply conduit connecting the tank with said drain pipe and out through said drain pipe, and timing means operatively associated with said valve means for automatically reversing the flow through said tank upon elapse of a predetermined time interval, said timing and actuating means i including a fulcrumed lever actuating said valve means, a plunger pivotally secured to one end of said lever and a spring loading the other end of said lever, a guide sleeve slidably receiving said plunger and having an annular shoulder at its upper end, a water cup secured to said sleeve adjacent said upper end, said sleeve having a slot adjacent said water cup for the insertion 'of an absorbent strip, an absorbent strip having one portion received in said slot and abutting said shoulder to maintain the plunger within the sleeve and having its other end disposed in said water cup whereby the plunger will puncture the strip when the strip is saturated by capillary action from the water cup.

6. A water softening apparatus comprising a tank having an inlet connection at its lower end, a soft water outlet means at the upper end of said tank and extending outwardly therefrom, a hard water supply conduit connected to said inlet connection, a drain pipe connected to an intermediate portion of said supply conduit, and an interconnecting pipe providing communication between said supply conduit and said outlet means, a rst valve controlling the flow through said supply conduit, a second valve interposed in said interconnecting pipe for selectively affording communication between said supply conduit and said outlet means, a third valve interposed in said drain pipe, and means for simultaneously actuating said valves for selectively effecting now from said supply conduit to .A said tank and out through said outlet means,

and from said supply conduit through said interconnecting pipe and outlet means to said tank, out through said inlet connection, through the portion of said supply conduit connecting the tank with said drain pipe and out through said drain pipe, and manually reset timing means operatively associated with said valve means for automatically reversing the flow through said tank upon elapse of a predetermined time interval, said timing and actuating means including a fulcrumed lever actuating said valve means, a plunger pivotally secured to one end o' said lever and a spring loading the other end of said lever, a guide sleeve slidably receiving said plunger and having an annular shoulder at its upper end, a water cup secured to said sleeve adjacent said upper end, said sleeve having a slot adjacent said water cup for the insertion of an absorbent strip, an absorbent strip having one portion received in said slot and abutting said shoulder to maintain the plunger within the sleeve and having its other end disposed in said water cup whereby the plunger will puncture the strip when the strip is saturated by capillary action from the Water cup.

7. A water softening apparatus comprising a tank having an inlet connection at its lower end, a soft water outlet means at the upper end of said tank and extending outwardly therefrom, a hard water supply conduit connected to said inlet connection, a drain pipe connected to an intermediate portion of said supply conduit, an interconnecting pipe providing communication between said supply conduit and said outlet means, valve means on said conduit and pipes, a fulcrum supported on said conduit and pipes, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends on said fulcrum, valve stems carried by said lever for selectively opening and closing said valve means, resilient means connected to one end of said lever and said conduit urging said lever toward said conduit, a bracket mounted on said conduit having an opening therethrough, a plunger carried by said other end of said lever slidably disposed in said bracket and adapted to project through said bracket opening, a strip of absorbent paper closing said opening, and a source of liquid for saturating said paper, said plunger penetrating said paper upon saturation thereof and reversing the positioning of said valve stems.

8. A water softening apparatus including a tank, an inlet connection and an outlet means on said tank, a conduit supply and drainage system connected to said inlet connection and said outlet means, valves arranged in a cluster on said conduit system, a fulcrum supported on said system adjacent said valves, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends on said fulcrurn, valve stems on said valves operatively connected to said lever on opposite sides of the fulcrum, a spring loading one end of said lever and pivoting the lever in one direction, a bracket mounted on said system and having an opening therein, the other end of said lever being received in said bracket, a plunger pivotally secured to said other end of said lever and adapted to slidably project through said opening in response to said spring load, a water cup carried by said bracket, a strip of absorbent paper inserted between said opening and said plunger to prevent projection of the plunger through the opening, a portion of said strip being disposed in said water cup, said plunger penetrating said strip upon saturation of the strip to reverse the opening and closing of said valves.

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